Evaluating the Effectiveness of RPM Technologies in Medi-Cal Waiver Programs

Project Summary

Use of the Intel Health Guide to monitor patients with chronic disease conditions and/or post-acute care for Medi-Cal’s adoption of RPM technologies.

Technology

Intel Health Guide PHS6000

Targeted Locations

Northern, Central, and Southern California

Collaborators

California Department of Health Care Services, Long-Term Care Division; Accredited Home Health Services, Woodland Hills; Oxford HealthCare, Long Beach; Home Health Care Management, Inc., Chico; Maxim Healthcare Services ; Spirit Home Health Care; Alternative Home Care

12-Month Goals

• Reduce the number of avoidable 30 day readmissions, hospitalizations, and ED visits.
• Increase usability and acceptability of RPM system among patients, informal and formal caregivers.
• Improve patient functional status, quality of life, quality of care, and patient and caregiver attitudes, behaviors, and compliance.
• Make technologies available and reimbursable in all Medi-Cal Programs.

Older Adult Population

1st year: 100 40+ older adults with CHF at up to six sites.
5th year: Technology available and reimbursable in all Medi-Cal program potentially reaching 60,000 older adults.

Setting/Provider Type

Home care service programs that are administered, monitored, and/or overseen by the CA DHCS, LTC division.

Measurable Outcomes

Measured at baseline and throughout six month intervention in a randomized control trial: Number of acute-care hospital admissions/ readmissions, days in hospital, 30 day readmission rates, number of long-term care/rehabilitation admissions/readmissions, number of ED visits, number of hours of LVN home-healthcare, home-healthcare costs, total healthcare costs, mortality, usability and acceptability of RPM system, functional status, quality of life, quality of care, clinical indicators, patient behaviors, and caregiver burden.

Replication, Dissemination Plan

Broadly expandable to other payment sources such as, other state Medicaid programs, the Medicare program, private insurers, and managed care plans.

Sustainability Plan

CAHSAH believes the findings from this project will demonstrate positive outcomes and result in diffusion to the broader Medi-Cal program.

Funding Request

$100,000

Matching Funds

$140,322